Centrifuge Process for the Enrichment of Uranium.

In the fuel cycle of light water reactors uranium enrichment is a technically inevitable step of significant economic importance. Up to now, the energy intensive gaseous diffusion process has been exploited predominantly. In the meantime, however, the centrifuge process has reached industrial maturity as is demonstrated by the commercially operating enrichment plants of Urenco. In addition to the low energy consumption of only 4 to 7% of the energy required for the diffusion process, the centrifuge process has a significant potential for further development.